Breadcrumb

Ambassadors

The current Ambassador programme was set up in 2007 and has achieved remarkable results in its 10+ years of influencing, fundraising and awareness-raising – transforming the landscape of dementia and working relentlessly for a cure.

Ambassadors

Rupert Adams

Rupert Adams runs the London office for Alignvest, the Toronto based investment group, and also advises a leading European Family on their investments. Rupert is a trustee of the BACIT Foundation and the Friends of the Gallmann Memorial Foundation.

David Baddiel

David Baddiel isone of Britain’s most popular comedians. David’s Dad is currently living with Pick’s Disease and this was the subject of his stage show ‘My Family: Not the Sitcom’ and Channel 4 documentary ‘The Trouble with Dad’. David wants to use comedy to talk about dementia to raise awareness of what dementia is, and how it affects every person differently. He is joining forces with Alzheimer’s Society to continue this conversation and to encourage others to unite against dementia so no-one has to face the condition alone.

Professor Sube Banerjee MBE

Sube Banerjee is Professor of Dementia & Associate Dean for Strategy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Director for Dementia at NHS London. He was previously the Department of Health for England's senior professional advisor on dementia and led the development of the National Dementia Strategy. He led a national enquiry into the use of antipsychotics in dementia for the UK government and consults widely to industry and governments on health systems, policy and strategies to improve health for dementia and in long term care. An active researcher, he has more than 100 peer reviewed publications including work on: quality of life in dementia; psychosocial research; RCTs and the interface between policy, research and practice.

Gordon Banks OBE

Legendary goalkeeper who won the World Cup with England in 1966, Gordon’s clubs include Leicester City and Stoke City as well as representing his country 73 times. Gordon has supported Alzheimer’s Society for many years, particularly his local service in Staffordshire as he lost his brother, David, in 2012 to Alzheimer’s.

Hazel Blears

Hazel worked as a lawyer in private practice and local government for 20 years. Elected as an MP in 1997, she held ministerial roles in Health, Police and Counter Terrorism and was Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. She led the change to community policing, was the author of the Preventing Violent Extremism programme and was responsible for housing, planning and community regeneration. Later as a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee she led the report on the role of Women within the UK Intelligence Community.Hazel is now Chair of the Social Investment Business, Chair of Salford University Institute for Dementia and is a Non-executive director of the Coop Group.

Baroness May Blood MBE

Baroness Blood is a Labour peer. She was a prominent trade unions activist in Northern Ireland. She is a passionate advocate for those living with the effects of poverty, particularly in relation to housing, unemployment, the elderly and early years education.

Baroness Blood is also an active member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia.

John Bowis OBE

John was a Conservative Member of the European Parliament for London between 1999 and 2009. He was the founding signatory of The European Parliament's Written Declaration on Alzheimer's Disease calling for it to be recognised as a European health priority. The Written Declaration was adopted in March 2009.

Rosie Boycott

Feminist and academic who co-founded the women's magazine Spare Rib in 1971. Also co-founder of Virago Press, a publisher committed to women's writing. She was the editor of Esquire magazine, as well as of the Independent on Sunday, the Independent and the Daily Express. Rosie's father had dementia and she is one of the Society's celebrity supporters.

Jo Brand

Stand-up comedian and celebrity supporter for the Society, Jo Brand is a former psychiatric nurse who worked with dementia patients for 10 years and has first-hand experience of caring for people with dementia.

Professor Carol Brayne

Carol is Professor of Public Health Medicine in the Department of Public Health and Primary care in the University of Cambridge. She is Director of the Cambridge Institute of Public Health. Carol is an epidemiologist and public health physician. She is interested in risk factors for dementia, and leads several large research studies that follow participants over extremely long timescales. Carol is Co-chair of the Alzheimer's Society's Research Advisory Committee.

Lorraine Brown

Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease Lorraine has dedicated herself to improving the future for people affected by dementia. She regularly attends and speaks at conferences locally and nationally to help raise awareness of dementia and the impact her young onset diagnosis has had on her life.

Lorraine worked in a mental health care trust in Medway Hospital and has been the driving force in making the hospital more dementia friendly.

Lorraine is the chair of the local Dementia Action Alliance in Medway and was recently awarded Kent’s most inspiring person with dementia, something that she is extremely proud of.

Graham Browne

Graham has spoken openly about his experience of living with Pick's disease. Graham, who was a speaker at the launch of the Dementia Out of the Shadows report in 2008 along with Sir Terry Pratchett, represented Alzheimer's Society at many fundraising events and has participated in a number of UK Dementia Congresses. Graham was part of the Local Organising Committee for the Alzheimer's Disease International Conference 2012, held in London and co-hosted by Alzheimer's Society.

Tania Bryer

TV presenter, writer and charity campaigner, Tania is a celebrity supporter of the Society and has spoken about her father Lionel who had Alzheimer's disease.

Liz Cunningham

Liz Cunningham was diagnosed with PCA/Alzheimer’s at the young age of 48. Liz has become a champion on behalf of those living with dementia.She has spoken at many Alzheimer’s Society events in NI over the past 18 months. She has appeared on the Stephen Nolan Show on both TV and radio and Liz wants to inspire confidence in those with dementia that you can live a good life with this condition. She readily challenges those who make key decisions regarding dementia.

In 2015, Liz won the Outstanding Contribution to dementia friendly communities award from the Alzheimer’s Society and Exceptional Contribution from a person living with dementia from the National Dementia Care Awards which was UK wide.

Paul Dacre

Paul Dacre is the Editor in Chief for the Daily Mail and its parent dmgmedia. He is director of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc.

Christopher Devas

Christopher was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2008. He is former business man , mediator and magistrate and also a keen sailor. He spoke at the Dementia UK conference in 2010 and continued to speak to doctors, nurses and health professionals about his experiences. He was on the Remember The Person campaign in 2011 and spoke at the ADI conference in Taipei in 2012, for Alzheimer’s society. He featured with his wife Veronica in a Channel 4 film with Grayson Perry about Dementia and has had numerous television and radio appearances raising awareness of the condition.

Professor Murna Downs

Professor Murna Downs is Chair in Dementia Studies and Head of the School of Dementia Studies at University of Bradford. Murna's research interests are in the area of the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions promoting quality of life and quality of care in people with dementia and their families. Her interests also include the lived experience of dementia, palliative care and the effectiveness of training and education. Murna is a current member of Alzheimer's Society's Research Advisory Committee.

Peter Dunlop

Peter was working as an Obstetrics and Gynaecology consultant when he started to notice memory blanks and sought information from his GP. He was very open with his colleagues at the time of his Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in July 2008 and he decided to stop practising.

Peter has spoken out to raise awareness and understanding of the condition and talk about coping with a diagnosis that puts an end to your profession.

Hilary Doxford

In December 2012, Hilary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Hilary spoke out about her experiences of living with dementia to world health ministers at the 2013 London G8 dementia summit and met with David Cameron. Hilary regularly undertakes media work, is actively involved in the Research Network and has been appointed as the representative for England on the European Working group for People with Dementia and currently is Vice-Chair of the group.

Lord Fellowes of West Stafford (Julian Fellowes)

Oscar-winning screenwriter, author, actor and director, Julian Fellowes is an ardent advocate of the issues and causes affecting older people and is a celebrity supporter for the Society. Recently known to TV viewers as the writer of the critically-acclaimed drama series Downton Abbey, Lord Fellowes brings a huge range of experience and passion to the Society. In 2011 he hosted the launch of our Dementia Research Programme - Drug Discovery - at the House of Lords and continues to support our cause in front of and behind the scenes.

Professor Nick Fox

Nick is Professor of Neurology and Director of the Dementia Research Centre at University College London. He is also a Consultant Neurologist at the specialist Cognitive Disorders Clinic at UCL. His research focuses on the early detection, differential diagnosis and monitoring of progression of dementia, particularly focusing on the use of MRI to improve diagnosis of dementia. Nick also has a clinical interest is in rarer and genetic forms of dementia. Nick was one of the first Alzheimer's Society Research Fellows is currently the co-Chair of Alzheimer's Society's Research Advisory Committee.

Laurence Geller

Laurence Geller CBE is founder and CEO of Strategic Hotels and Resorts, Chairman of Churchill Centre in USA and Chancellor of University of West London. He founded Chicago-based Geller Investment Co LLC in 2013, a private real estate investment platform focused on placing capital in the hospitality/leisure industries. Laurence serves on a number of boards relating to the real estate and lodging industries, including as Co-Chairman of the Industry Real Estate Financing Advisory Council of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and as American Ambassador and Fellow to the UK-based Institute of Hospitality.

Laurence has long-held associations with the University of Westminster, graduating from the School of Hotel Management and Catering at the institution when it was Ealing Technical College. In March 2009, he received University of West London’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, and in November 2010, received an honorary doctorate; he was installed as Chancellor in May 2011.

A respected philanthropist, Laurence is Chairman of the Churchill Centre and a serving member of, amongst others, the President’s Council of the Midwest Region of the US Fund for UNICEF, and The National Leadership Council for the American Jewish Committee. Laurence has received numerous awards for his charitable endeavours. He has personally fundraised more than US$20m cumulatively to a variety of humanitarian, cultural and civic causes over the years.

Laurence has authored over 50 published articles about the lodging industry as well as a novel, Do Not Disturb. Laurence was awarded a CBE by the Queen in the 2012 New Year's Honours List.

Professor Steve Gentleman

Steve is Professor of Neuropathology at Imperial College, London. His research has focused on the link between head injury and Alzheimer's Disease. Steve was one of the first Alzheimer's Society Research Fellows and is a current member of Alzheimer's Society's Research Advisory Committee.

Russell Grant

Russell Grant, astrologer and television presenter, is a committed celebrity supporter of the Society and has spoken about his grandmother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease.

Baroness Sally Greengross OBE

Baroness Sally Greengross has been a crossbench (independent) member of the House of Lords since 2000 and co-chairs five All-Party Parliamentary Groups: Dementia, Corporate Social Responsibility, Intergenerational Futures, Continence Care and Ageing and Older People. She is the Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Choice at the End of Life, and is Treasurer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Equalities.

Sally is Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre – UK; Co-President of the ILC Global Alliance; and was a Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission from 2006-12.

Baroness Greengross was Director General of Age Concern England from 1987 until 2000. Until 2000, she was joint Chair of the Age Concern Institute of Gerontology at Kings College London, and Secretary General of Eurolink Age. She is an Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society, SilverLine and HelpAge International.

John Griffith-Jones

John is a Senior Partner and Chairman of KPMG. He is also a member of the MCC, Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, Whites and a Liveryman of the Skinners, where he sits on the charity committee.

Dame Denise Holt DCMG

Dame Denise is a former British Ambassador to Mexico and Spain where she devoted a good deal of time to the plight of the many elderly British citizens living there. Now retired from the FCO, Denise is a member of the Board of OFQUAL and of the NHS Pay Review Body as well as a Director of HSBC Bank plc, among many other interests. Her mother had Alzheimer's disease.

Dr Kamel Hothi OBE

Whilst at Lloyds Banking Group Dr Hothi was recognised for being the architect behind the Asian Strategy across the Group. Her remits have included product development, cultural training, strategy and marketing. She was responsible for heading the bank’s charity partnerships including a partnership with Alzheimer’s Society. She is very passionate about sustainability and impact and supports several charities including the Queens Commonwealth Trust.

Her passion and commitment to issues like dementia and wanting to raise awareness in the south Asian and harder to reach communities resulted in her receiving several awards across various sectors for diversity and community cohesion across the years, including an Honorary Doctorate, Who’s Who Award, 2010 Gordon Brown Diversity Award, NRI Professional Award and Asian Achievers Woman of the Year Award and in 2017 was included in the FT top 100 BAME list and honoured with an OBE for services to Diversity to name a few.

Trevor Jarvis BEM

Trevor was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2001, and has since played an active role in the Champion Group for Dementia Friendly Communities, part of the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia. He has spoken at numerous events nationwide to raise awareness of the realities of living with dementia. Trevor is a member of a self-help group for younger people with dementia near his home in Doncaster as well as an active member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Consumer Group.

In July 2013 Trevor was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bradford University in recognition of his work to improved the lives of people living with dementia and in the 2014 New Year's Honours list, Trevor was awarded a British Empire Medal for his campaigning.

Dr Ann Johnson MBE

Ann was diagnosed with dementia on October 12th 2005 at the age of 52. Since her diagnosis, Ann has moved into sheltered accommodation where she is the youngest resident. She gives talks to staff and residents about her experiences of dementia as well as being a very active media volunteer travelling around the country to raise awareness and understanding of the condition.

Ann took part in Alzheimer's Disease International conference in London 2012 and has been involved in the Champion Group for Dementia Friendly Communities, as part of the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia.

In July 2012 Ann was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bolton for her 'outstanding contribution to healthcare' and in 2013 was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours.

Mike Kelly

Mike is Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at KPMG and leads its developing CSR programme across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He was involved in the two year charity pairing of Alzheimer's Society with KPMG which raised over £1m for the Society. He is a Trustee of The Passage - the largest day centre in Europe supporting homeless people.

Ruth Langsford

As a television presenter, Ruth has presented programmes such as Loose Women, Langsford Late, Gardens of the Millennium and The Really Useful Show. She now presents ITV1's This Morning. Ruth is a celebrity supporter of the Society and has taken part in many Alzheimer's Society fundraising events, and has spoken about her personal experience of her father's dementia.

Sally Lindsay

Actress Sally Lindsay, best known for her role as Shelley Unwin in ITV's Coronation Street and Lisa Johnson in Sky's Mount Pleasant, is a celebrity supporter for the Society and has actively campaigned for the Society in memory of her grandmother, Ellen, who had dementia.

After speaking at the World Dementia Council meeting in October 2014, Hilary was invited to become a full member of the Council, becoming the first person with dementia to hold this position.

Vicky McClure

BAFTA winner Vicky McClure is one of the country’s most exciting actors, starring in Line Of Duty, Broadchurch, The Secret Agent and The Replacement. Vicky is a passionate supporter of Alzheimer’s Society and its campaigns. Her Nan, Iris, lived with Alzheimer’s until her death from the disease in 2015. Since 2010, Vicky has repeatedly taken part in the charity’s flagship fundraising event, Memory Walk, in her hometown of Nottingham.

Richard McCourt

Richard McCourt (Dick) is a television presenter and radio presenter best known as one half of BBC award-winning duo Dick and Dom. He has actively taken part in fundraising, campaigned for the Society and is a celebrity supporter. He has spoken about his personal experience of dementia caring for his mother.

Lawrie McMenemy MBE

Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a former football manager who won the FA Cup with Southampton in 1976. Lawrie also managed Northern Ireland's national team and coached the England national side during the 1990's. Lawrie, a celebrity supporter, has a personal link to the Society as his mother-in-law had dementia. He officially started the Bupa Great South Run in 2010 and is a passionate supporter of the local services in Hampshire.

Wendy Mitchell

Wendy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in July 2014 and up until March 2015 she worked full-time in the NHS. Shortly after receiving her diagnosis Wendy has spoken to many different audiences about her experiences and helped launch the Society's guide 'Creating a dementia-friendly workplace: A practical guide for employers' in April 2015.

Shortly after receiving her diagnosis she became involved with the Society's Research Network, where she uses her experiences of dementia to inform the direction and delivery of dementia research. Wendy is passionate about raising awareness about dementia and has become an active blogger and tweeter.

Carey Mulligan

Oscar-nominated and BAFTA award-winning actor, Carey has had starring roles in films including Suffragette, Far From the Madding Crowd, The Great Gatsby and An Education. Carey has chosen to support Alzheimer's Society as her grandmother Margaret, known as Nans, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004. Carey is committed to helping the Alzheimer's Society in any way she can. Carey's family rely on the help Alzheimer's Society provides to increase their understanding of the disease in caring for Nans. Carey fronted the Society's 2012 Dementia Awareness Week campaign, started many Memory Walks around the country and has attended numerous fundraisers to support our cause.

Nicholas Mullings

Westminister-based jeweller Mr Mullings, of J.McCarthy Ltd helped found and run the Society's Old Jewellery Appeal fundraising initiative which has raised over £1 million for the Society. Mr Mullings has spent almost every Saturday over the last 25 years carefully sorting and valuing every item of jewellery ever donated to the Old Jewellery Appeal, to help support people affected by dementia.

Keith Oliver

Prior to receiving his diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in 2010, Keith had a successful career in education, including 16 years as a head teacher. Keith is now a member of our Grant Advisory Panel for Care, Services & Public Health Research as well as a Research Network Volunteer. A the only person with dementia on the Advisory Panel, he proactively offers a unique and personal insight into the way that people with dementia can play a role either as participants or beneficiaries of research. Keith has recently led the publication of a book, Welcome to our World, a collection of life writing by people living with dementia, to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society.

Keith is a regular contributor in the media and in 2015 he, along with 2 other people with dementia, produced a video diary of his experiences living with dementia which featured on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme, where he also participated in a studio debate. Keith regularly speaks out in the media about his experiences living with dementia as well as at events all over the country. Keith is based in Kent where he is an Dementia Service User Envoy for Kent & Medway Partnership Trust.

Professor Peter Passmore

Professor Peter Passmore is a psychiatrist for old-age and Professor of Ageing and Geriatric Medicine at Queen's University, Belfast. He is leading an exciting clinical trial to test a potential treatment for Vascular Dementia (there are currently no treatments) which Alzheimer's Society is joint-funding with the British Heart Foundation as part of our Drug Discovery Programme

Professor Passmore is widely respected as one of the leading dementia experts in Northern Ireland. He is very supportive of the Society and is currently a member of our Grant Advisory Board for Biomedical Research.

Barbara Pointon MBE

Barbara Pointon and her late husband Malcolm, allowed film-maker Paul Watson to film them after Malcom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The result was: Malcolm and Barbara - Love's Farewell. Mrs. Pointon was included in The Queen's Birthday Honours of June 2006 and was awarded the MBE for her tireless campaigning work.

Arlene Phillips CBE

Respected choreographer, theatre director, talent scout and former dancer, Arlene has been a talent judge on such hugely popular TV shows as Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance?

Arlene cared for her father when he developed Alzheimer's disease and has spoken of the difficulties faced by the person with dementia and their carers. Determined to raise awareness of dementia, Arlene is a celebrity supporter who has fronted many of the Society's campaigns and fundraising activities. She has spoken out to improve the quality of care as part of the PM Challenge.

Fiona Phillips

Television presenter and Daily Mirror columnist, Fiona is a celebrity supporter for the Society and frequently speaks about her mother and father, who both had Alzheimer's disease, to support other families caring for a relative with dementia. Fiona is a long term campaigner and advocate of the rights of all those affected by dementia fronting appeals, TV programmes and events to champion our cause.

Angela Rippon CBE

Broadcaster and journalist, Angela Rippon has supported Alzheimer's Society for a number of years as a celebrity supporter and has spoken of her experiences caring for her mother Edna who was diagnosed with dementia in 2004. Angela was a BBC newsreader for five years and has worked in news and current affairs for over 40 years. Angela is the co-chair of the Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group as part of the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia.

Chris Roberts

A diagnosis of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease at 51 years of age has not stopped Chris from leading a full and active life and, with the support of his wife Jayne, he speaks regularly at conferences and events nationally and internationally about his experience of living with dementia and the support needed to live the lives they wish.

Chris is a board member of Dementia Alliance International, a dementia research champion, a peer reviewer for MSNAP and a member of the Society's Service User Review Panel for north Wales. Both Chris and Jayne are Dementia Champions and run Dementia Friends information sessions as a team. In just over a year, Chris and Jayne have created over 300 Dementia Friends across north Wales. Chris actively campaigns for the rights of younger people with dementia and their specific needs, particularly about the suitability of most residential settings for the younger person.

Heather Roberts

Heather was 51 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and she has spoken openly about her experience as a younger person living with dementia, including taking part in a number of media interviews for Alzheimer's Society. Based in Derby, she was an IT consultant who then moved into teaching. Alzheimer's disease eventually forced her to stop working. She participated in a dementia trial at University College Hospital looking at the early stages of dementia, tracking how the condition progresses.

Professor Louise Robinson

Louise Robinson is Professor of Primary Care and Ageing, Newcastle University, an academic GP and Director of the Newcastle University Institute of Ageing. Louise's research programme is focused on Primary Care of those with dementia including early intervention, end of life care and the role of assistive technologies. Currently Louise is the primary care advisor for the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia and the National Clinical Champion for Dementia at the Royal College of GPs.

Sir Tony Robinson

Actor, presenter and writer Sir Tony Robinson, best known for television's Blackadder and Time Team, filmed the final days of his mother's life in a powerfully moving documentary Me And My Mum. Both of his parents had dementia and he is a celebrity supporter for the Society, one of our most ardent and active campaigners for all those affected by dementia.

Robbie Savage

Former footballer and media pundit who played for Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County as well as representing Wales. Robbie lost his Dad, Colin, to Pick’s disease, a rare form of dementia, when he was just 64 years old having been diagnosed aged 58. Robbie has supported Alzheimer’s Society for a number of years, using his profile to help raise awareness and funds to support the work we do.

Robert Scott

Robert is the son of the modern artist William Scott, who died of dementia. The Scott family supports the Society's research programme through the William Scott estate.

Gina Shaw

Gina Shaw was diagnosed with dementia in August 2013. Based in Liverpool, Gina was a children's nurse at Alder Hey hospital. She enjoys singing (a member of a local Singing for the Brain choir) and put this skill to good use when starring in the Dementia Friends campaign television advert in 2014.

Gina is a passionate advocate of the Society's Dementia Friends programme encouraging the public to learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.

Gina is an active campaigner and speaker on behalf of Alzheimer's Society.

Ian Sherriff MA CQSW

As Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Ian has been involved in numerous projects designed to improve the lives of people with dementia. His work includes an ambition to support communities to become more dementia-friendly. In particular he is passionate about supporting rural communities to better support people with dementia.

Ian is a member of the Prime Minister's Dementia Friendly Communities Challenge Group and chairs the South and South West of England for this group. He is also a founder member and chair of the Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance as well as chair of the Prime Minister's Task and Finish group for Rural Dementia and the National Air Transport dementia group.

Meera Syal CBE

Meera Syal is an award-winning writer, actress and comedian whose work includes the popular television series' The Kumars at Number 42 and Goodness Gracious Me.

Meera, who has a family member living with dementia, launched Dementia Friends, an initiative to increase understanding of dementia, alongside her close friend and Alzheimer's Society ambassador, Jo Brand.

Meera is a celebrity supporter.

Sir Malcolm Walker

Malcolm Walker was born in Yorkshire in 1946 and founded Iceland in 1970, opening the first shop in Oswestry with an investment of just £60. He then served as Iceland’s Chairman and CEO through 30 years of continuous growth. Malcolm left Iceland in 2001 but returned as CEO four years later. Iceland today has sales of £2.8bn, over 900 stores and more than 22,000 employees who have twice voted it the Best Big Company to Work For in the UK.

The Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has raised more than £20m for good causes, focusing particularly on dementia charities.

Chris Wallace

Chris is Director, Continental Europe at QBE Europe and he has been involved with Alzheimer’s Society since 2015. He joined the insurance industry in 1993 and is the chairman of our insurance board – Insurance United Against Dementia which seeks to raise £10 million for dementia research through events, corporate partnerships, and individual donations. Inspired by his Grandmother who had dementia, Chris has been instrumental in establishing the board, recruiting members, and driving forward the campaign.

Daphne Wallace

Daphne worked in Psychiatry in the NHS from 1966 - 2000 including work as a Consultant Psychiatrist for Older People. She set up a service for older people with mental health problems. Daphne has a long-standing relationship with Alzheimer's Society as a member and serving as a trustee for 12 years. She is a member of the External Reference Group for the National Dementia Strategy in England. Involved with a number of groups with an interest in ageing and dementia and a variety of research projects, Daphne continues to fight for improved care and awareness for those with dementia and their families. Daphne was diagnosed with very early Small Vessel Vascular Dementia in 2005.

Joy Watson

Joy, together with her husband Tony, is a committed campaigner for Alzheimer’s Society and our Dementia Friends programme, regularly speaking out on her own experiences of living with dementia. Joy was the face of 2014's Manchester Memory Walk, has been on BBC Breakfast and the new Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC TWO as well being featured in the Observer and Independent. She is a passionate proponent of our dementia friendly communities initiative and is a fantastic example of how life doesn't have to stop when dementia begins.

The 2014 Dementia Champion winner at the Society’s Dementia Friendly Communities Awards, Joy was also one of the main speakers at the Dementia 2015 conference.

Kevin Whately

Actor Kevin appeared in the Comic Relief drama, Dad, highlighting issues surrounding elder abuse. His many other credits include Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Peak Practice, Inspector Morse and most recently Lewis. Kevin's mother had Alzheimer's disease. Kevin continues to raise awareness for the Society's work and is a celebrity supporter.

Professor Bob Woods

Bob Woods is Professor of Clinical Psychology of the Elderly at Bangor University. Bob has been practicing clinical psychology working with older people for over 30 years. Bob was appointed as the first Chair in Clinical Psychology with Older People in the UK, at Bangor University in 1996 and his research focuses on family carers of people with dementia, psychological factors related to carer burden and interventions to improve quality of life and function in people with dementia. He is Co-Director of the Dementia Services Development Centre Wales and a member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Panels of Alzheimer Europe and Alzheimer's Disease International.